The state ordered a Butler County diner to temporarily close for violating the governor's order that prohibited dine-in service at restaurants in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

According to the state's Department of Agriculture, Mel's Place in Cabot was one of 36 restaurants across the state that were shut down after complaints that they violated the order were confirmed.

The department said that the businesses were closed after a state inspector was on the premises of the businesses and they still refused to comply with the order. Mel's Place was visited by an inspector Dec. 30 and was ordered closed until the expiration of the governor's order on Monday.

In December, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the most recent government efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Citing a rise in the spread of the virus, Wolf moved to close entertainment venues and gyms, ban indoor dining at restaurants, and temporarily halt school sports and other extracurricular activities. The closures, enacted Dec. 12, expired Monday.

During the temporary shutdown, the department's Bureau of Food Safety performed 373 inspections, after receiving 99 complaints. The majority of those complaints were specific to COVID-19.

Mel's Place was not fined.

The department also notes that businesses that have not complied with legal orders jeopardize their eligibility for future state funding opportunities.

This is a breaking news report — read more in Thursday's Butler Eagle.